Wandy pitches three shutout innings in Astros’ 4-1 win over Mets

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Wandy Rodriguez turned in what was on paper the best performance of the Astros’ spring schedule, but he found plenty to critique.

“I felt good today but I need to work a lot because I missed a lot of my spots today,” said Rodriguez, who added that the back stiffness that plagued him early in camp was a non-issue.

The results were certainly good, as he allowed just one hit in three shutout innings to kick off a 4-1 victory over a Mets split squad missing most of its regulars.

He threw mostly fastballs and felt he missed a lot on those in his 51-pitch afternoon that included 32 strikes. He’s the first Astros starter to go three innings, and the team has lined up the rotation where it begins with him once the regular season rolls around. Bud Norris will follow Wednesday against the Phillies.

The Astros were paced offensively by a pair of homering Snyders.

The lefthanded hitting outfielder Brad Snyder hit a two-run shot down the right field line to give the Astros a 3-0 lead in the second, and catcher Chris Snyder made it 4-1 with his second home run in two starts.

“I’m out there to prove a lot of things to myself, to the team, to a lot of people,” Chris Snyder said. “So I’m doing my best to lock it in and stay locked in.”

The game also featured the return of Carlos Lee from a hamstring strain that kept him out for the first three games. Lee went 1-for-3 and made a sliding catch in foul ground and said his swing felt good but it will take him a while to get back to his usual running capacity.